Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has not manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating total occupational and social impairment, thus the higher initial rating of 70% is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, Adjustment Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder were granted. The right knee disability was increased to 20% and the left knee disability was increased to 10%. TDIU was also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and sleep disorder. The underlying issue is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has reopened several claims but denied service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was not established for arthritis of the arms, hands, fibromyalgia, headaches, PTSD, unspecified muscle disability, limited eye sight, depression, or residuals of circumcision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as an LPN and able to perform his duties despite some industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which are considered direct service connection as they were diagnosed in conformance with DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and a vocational expert review.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date of this grant is April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and panic disorder have been rated at 30 percent since March 19, 2009. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to January 19, 2011 was granted with an effective date of March 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his incarceration at the time of a scheduled Board hearing. The issues include reopening psychiatric disability claims and seeking service connection for various disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and depression, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including antisocial personality disorder and depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, opioid dependence, and mood disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

Your claim for a higher initial rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis has been fully granted, and you are now receiving the maximum disability rating of 100% effective July 27, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been found to warrant a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of claim. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted. An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder) is denied.

The Veteran's death was due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the Board found that his mental unsoundness at the time of suicide meant it did not constitute willful misconduct. The Veteran had depression and mood disorder related to service, which contributed to his suicide.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder, finding new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.